Fantasia International Film Festival 2025

Fantasia International Film Festival 2025

Films I’m Most Excited For

We’re officially less than a month away from the 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival!

Ari Aster’s EDDINGTON will be the opening film on July 16 - and through August 3, audiences will be captivated, transported, frightened, or even shocked by the diverse genre film line-up this year.

As always, I have my list of “can’t wait to watch films” that I have put together for anxious viewers. And like every year, it was hard to narrow down my list but I did my best and have 10 films to look into.

So grab some popcorn and enjoy this preview of Fantasia International Film Festival.

 

TERRESTRIAL

Hold the phone! The director of HOT TUB TIME MACHINE, ACCEPTED, and ABOUT LAST NIGHT has directed a sci-fi thriller?

Why yes, he has. And it sounds like a trip I’m ready to take.

Synopsis:

A reunion weekend spirals out of control for four college friends when the host (Jermaine Fowler, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU), a science fiction writer on the verge of newfound success, fights to maintain his sense of reality in the face of sudden, uncanny dangers.

HELLCAT

HELLCAT brings a new twist to the kidnap thriller genre and the race against time element already has me anxious. 

Synopsis:

A woman (Dakota Gorman) wakes in the back of a moving camper trailer with only a voice (Todd Terry) from the truck providing further information and telling her where they're headed.

NYAIGHT OF THE LIVING CAT

Kawaii and horror play together in this J-horror anime series!

It’s a cat lover’s dream and probably the first movie I’ll watch, with my cat GeeBee by my side.

Synopsis:

Adapting the manga written by Hawkman and drawn by Mecha-Roots, and debuting on Crunchyroll this summer, NYAIGHT OF THE LIVING CAT presents a premise more terrifying than a half-empty food bowl—a virus sweeping the globe, causing anyone who touches a kitty to become one themselves! Executive director Miike and director Tomohiro Kamitani deliver a furry, purring parody of the natural-horror subgenre, an animated cataclysm of cuteness!

 

BULLET TIME

This one is for all my fellow Millennial, 90s lovers.

Remember REN & STIMPY? Well, their creator Bob Jaques, is the Animation Director for this short/pilot that director Eddie Alcazar spent four years making.

Grab your flannel!

Synopsis:

In a surreal world fueled by retro gaming nostalgia and Saturday morning cartoon mayhem, BULLET TIME follows Bullet — an emotionally unstable bull terrier — as he battles his way through a bizarre digital gaming universe. Fueled by frenetic action, unhinged heart, and absurd humor, Bullet Time delivers a visually explosive ride that blends 90s cartoon weirdness with cutting-edge animation and a pulse-pounding original score.

 

FIND YOUR FRIENDS

Party culture and social commentary get a sinister spin in this female-centric horror film.

Might be a winner for a girls’ night in.

Synopsis:

Set against cinematic desert scenery, what starts as a wild girls’ trip quickly turns dangerous when the locals don't want them there. As the hostile environment escalates, Amber’s friends uncover her past trauma and become fed up with toxic dynamics. Little do they know, their fun trip will transform into one of revenge—building to a jaw-dropping finale that audiences will never forget.

 

KAZAKH SCARY TALES

KAZAKH SCARY TALES was produced as an anthology series for a domestic streamer but deemed too frightening by focus groups.

So now I need to check it out for myself. I hope to provide you a review to let you know if a nightlight will be necessary at bedtime after viewing.

Synopsis:

A cop (Kuantai Abdimadi, MOUNTAIN ONION) ventures into a remote village to investigate a gruesome series of inexplicable events and soon finds himself in the center of an otherworldly storm of local witchcraft and death. It becomes clear that the curse of Albasty, a spirit said to devour infants, is horrifyingly real.

 

FOREIGNER

 

MEAN GIRLS, but with a horror spin.

Possibly another girls’ night in contender.

Synopsis:

It’s 2004, and Iranian immigrant Yasamin, or Yasi, is the new girl. Her high school experience is daunting, as she tries to improve her English by watching her favorite sitcom and befriends a trio of pastel-clad girls who feed Yasi’s need to fit in. Desperate for acceptance, she dyes her hair blonde and, in doing so, also attracts a demonic force.

 

OLD GUYS IN BED

All the films above have horrific elements with a possible blend of comedy in the mix.

So now it’s time to cleanse the palate and tug at the heartstrings a bit.

Synopsis:

OLD GUYS IN BED tells the story of Paul (Duff MacDonald), a 60-year-old film historian, who meets a man (Paul James Saunders) on a dating website. Unfamiliar with these new ways of making connections, he discovers a world that is both promising and confusing, one that will serve as his gateway through a modern and unpredictable journey of love.

 

NOISE

Korean horror knows how to get under the skin.

NOISE may add a creepy earworm element too as it is already getting buzz around the sound design and perfectly timed jump scares.

Synopsis:

After the disappearance of her younger sister, a woman with a hearing impediment experiences bizarre happenings and frightening encounters when mysterious noises echo throughout the building.

 

THE WAILING

Touted as one of the scariest films of the last year, my curiosity is piqued to see what this curse does.

Plus, I want to root for these women and see them come out stronger in the end. Fingers crossed!

Synopsis:

Several generations of women, separated by time and space, are stalked by the same terrifying curse. Vibrantly told in a multi-chapter structure, taking place in Spain and Argentina across periods and decades apart.

 

 

Favorite Films of 2021 (Monte's List)

Monte's Favorite Films of 2021

 

In another year of uncertainty, it was nice to return to the safe sanctum of the movie theater. While the movies that found the silver screen were mostly superheroes, franchises, or big budgets, there were still many rewarding films to search out and watch. With streaming services growing more dominant, the availability of the typically hard-to-find arthouse movies seemed far more accessible than ever before. While I still crave the popcorn-saturated smell of a beautiful cinema, 2021 displayed that people are finding new ways to connect with artistic visual media. And there was much to consume in 2021. These 12 films, plus a few more that almost made the list, are the ones that displayed the joy of discovery and gift of engagement that movies have always provided for me. Here are my favorites of 2021. 

 

12. The Tragedy of Macbeth

 

The Shakespearean tragedy that examines the fear, folly, and fall of Macbeth is adapted with meticulous detail in a visually stunning and faithfully authentic adaptation. Composed within the desolating contrast of black and white photography, the gloom of darkness grows more threatening as the film moves from treacherous betrayal to brutal uprising. The use of supernatural elements, with witches and ghostly shadows, is haunting. The madness of Macbeth, embodied by a bold performance from Denzel Washington, is mesmerizing from start to finish. Joel Coen's artful adaptation is a marvel of design and structure. 

 

11. CODA

 

"CODA" tells the tale of a seventeen-year-old young woman named Ruby (Emilia Jones), the sole hearing member of a deaf family. This coming-of-age film doesn't rely on twists and turns to move its story forward but instead utilizes an accomplished cast to bring charm and heart to its plot. Emilia Jones is delightful, and the use of American sign language is lovely to see on film. "CODA" will have you smiling long after it leaves you.  

 

10. The Mitchells vs. The Machines

 

There aren't many films this year that I immediately wanted to watch again, "The Mitchells vs. The Machines" was one of those films. It is a feel-good family animation with a loving spirit for film and intelligent storytelling that displays the power of family and the importance of people working together despite their differences. It's witty, charming, and surprisingly emotional. But perhaps the best recommendation comes from my 10-year son, who said, "we need more movies that show how important it is to work together."

 

9. Pig

 

The trailer for "Pig" evokes the sensibilities of recent action/revenge films like "John Wick" or "Nobody."A scruffy truffle hunter who lives a life of solitude in the Oregon wilderness ventures into the city to find the person who stole his beloved pig. While the premise may elicit more odd reactions than the actual desire to watch the film, I assure you that "Pig" is so much more than what it advertises. Anchored by a subdued yet passionate performance from Nicolas Cage, "Pig" is a poignant journey of love and redemption. 

 

8. Spencer

 

"Spencer," a boundary-breaking biopic about Diana, the Princess of Wales, is described by director Pablo Larraín as "a fable from a true tragedy." It is a psychological drama, a tense thriller, a claustrophobic horror film, and a satirical comedy. Kristen Stewart, who continues to grow captivatingly as an actor, displays grit, elegance, and grace in the lead role. Stewart's performance is a highlight of any in 2021. Johnny Greenwood's pulsating score amplifies the themes of captivity and the yearning to break free. "Spencer" delivers a fable of the precarious path traveled in an attempt at freedom. 

 

7. Petite Maman

 

To reveal the intentions of writer/director Céline Sciamma's elegant and emotional journey into the life of a grieving family, specifically, a young girl named Nelly (Joséphine Sanz), would do a disservice to the magical cinematic vision this film composes. "Petite Maman" is a beautifully crafted film for children of all ages. Whatever you call it, a fable or allegory, it’s undeniably wonderful storytelling. 

 

6. The Green Knight

 

The brilliance of David Lowery's vision, "The Green Knight", is that the film isn't interested in finding understanding. It never positions itself for easy answers but instead lavishes in the twisting quest from the Round Table into the forest citadel. It has everything that current times have instilled into stories of knights in shining armor, adventure, danger, monsters, witches, spirits, and bloodshed. But "The Green Knight" never feels modernized; instead, there is no effort to update the language or repurpose the legend to fit a comfortable category. "The Green Knight" casts a spell of storytelling, an absorbing and visually beguiling tale.

 

5. The Killing of Two Lovers

 

The opening of director Robert Machoian's deftly crafted drama of love, loss, and longing is a meticulously composed act of tension. The story, about a married couple struggling to keep their relationship alive while living separated, displays the complicated emotional struggles of two adults trying to make sense of their committed life and the responsibilities and obligations that consume it. At times a haunting wintry tale of lost love and, in other moments, a heartbreaking story of the hardships endured during marriage. It's a character drama of the highest degree, finely directed and acted.

 

4. Licorice Pizza

 

In "Licorice Pizza," a coming-of-age movie set in the San Fernando Valley during the 1970s, director Paul Thomas Anderson paints a passionate and personal film about youth and maturation. The film follows Gary, a hustling teenager played with sincerity by Cooper Hoffman. And Alana, an assertive and strong-willed young woman, played with vibrance by Alana Haim. The two bicker and banter, succeed and fail, flirt and fall in love in the shadow of Hollywood and the glow of daydream California. Anderson stages a careful yet carefree film in its execution of structure and storytelling. 

 

3. Power of the Dog

 

Director Jane Campion examines the shifting, visible and concealed, characteristics of identity for a group of people living on a ranch through the western genre. Campion, with expert precision, weaves a western that is complicated and compelling, a psychological thriller that operates with enough ambiguity to keep the mystery of manipulations intriguing until the bitter end. Benedict Cumberbatch crafts a menacing and manipulative character. It's an impressively constructed film from the hands of one of cinema's most accomplished directors.

 

2. Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

 

Director Ahmir Thompson, a.k.a. Questlove, takes us to a six-week summer music festival in 1969 known as the Harlem Cultural Festival. This documentary serves as much a concert movie as it is a journey through a critical time in history for Black America. The music explores both diversity and unification, while the concert event displays a new movement in culture, politics, and pride. The interlacing of civil rights violence footage, speeches from political activists, and interviews with concert attendees are impeccably arranged. "Summer of Soul" is simply one of the best music documentaries ever made.

 

1. Drive My Car

 

In a film about dealing with grief, understanding the bounds of love, the traumatic and therapeutic process of work, and the healing capacity of art, director Ryusuke Hamaguchi crafts a stunning piece of cinema with "Drive My Car ."At nearly 3-hours in length, Hamaguchi's film never outstays its tender yet complicated welcome. Centering on the life of a widowed theater director Yusuke (Hidetoshi Nishijima), working on an "Uncle Vanya" production for a festival in Hiroshima, the story maneuvers a delicate and meditative trance of emotion. "Drive My Car" is masterful filmmaking. 

 

Honorable Mentions:

•          C'mon C'mon

•          The Empty Man

•          French Dispatch

•          Judas and the Black Messiah

•          The Lost Daughter

•          Memoria

•          Old Henry

•          Passing

•          Red Rocket

•          Riders of Justice

•          Saint Maud

•          Shiva Baby

•          Spiderman: No Way Home

•          tick, tick…Boom!

•          Titane

•          The Velvet Underground

•          The Vigil

•          Westside Story

•          The Worst Person in the World 

•          Zola

 

Voyagers Review

Voyagers

Dir: Neil Burger

Starring: Colin Farrell, Tye Sheridan, Lily-Rose Depp, Fionn Whitehead, and Chanté Adams

1h 48m

PG-13

 

Writer/director Neil Burger takes William Golding's seminal novel, Lord of the Flies, and reframes it on a spaceship on an interplanetary mission to save humanity in Voyagers. Instead of an abandoned island, the drama shifts to deep space isolation inside a technologically advanced life vessel slowly hurtling towards new horizons. The idea is ripe for exploration, but Voyagers often relies on familiar archetypes and generic solutions to define its path. 

 

Earth is becoming uninhabitable, and a group of scientifically bred children is the only hope for humanity. On a spaceship capable of sustaining life for an 86-year voyage, the mission consists of a mix of young men and women who have roles and responsibilities to keep the mission alive. To maintain a docile harmony between the young people living in the secluded craft, they are chemically altered with a drink known as "blue." The beverage keeps the typically hormonal teens from becoming too preoccupied with complicated feelings or impulses that would jeopardize the mission. 

Christopher (Tye Sheridan) and Zac (Fionn Whitehead) are the first to discover that "blue" is a drug to control their urges and suppress their maturing hormones. The ship's captain, Richard (Colin Farrell), the father-figure on board the vessel who has been with the mission since the children were born, is the only crew member who understands the delicate nature of blossoming emotions for these young people. Christopher and Zac, wanting to "feel" everything, are the first to stop drinking "blue." They slowly begin to feel sensations they have never felt before, the surge of testosterone that finds them competitively racing down the ship's long corridors and wrestling aggressively in front of their bemused fellow crew members. These feelings grow more robust, rule-breaking, sexual frustrations, and violence begin to take hold. 

 

Voyagers' beginning introduces fascinating ideas about human nature's struggles, the urges, temptations, and needs that compose many of life's moral challenges. These questions and insights are slighted for much broader, more familiar strokes of narrative conflict. Burger's drama focuses on the power struggle between Christopher and Zac, and because these characters aren't complex individuals, the result only composes surface-level suspense and rudimentary thrills. 

 

Sheridan and Whitehead do the best they can with the characters they are provided. Lily-Rose Depp is a strong presence who deserves more character-building than simply fueling the conflict between the two male leads. Farrell isn't offered much time to shine aside from a few video diary entries that propose the interesting narrative elements not explored.  

 

Voyagers may not have the story to sustain engagement from start to finish. Still, the technical design is visually striking and keeps attention connected to the action happening within the frame. The production design makes a maze out of the spaceship's interior, with long corridors and hidden rooms assisting the tension when the chase eventually happens. Director of photography, Enrique Chediak, does a good job of using the spaceship to the highest benefit of the rising conflict. As attitudes grow more aggressive and ambitions turn dangerous between the crew, the spacecraft seems to grow more claustrophobic. Chediak compliments the story's themes, helping to keep the action engaging and attractive even when the narrative runs out of steam.

 

Voyagers has an engaging story hiding between the scenes that compose this film. While the movie maintains a decent pace from start to finish, this familiar tale's journey rarely explores the intriguing themes within this Lord of the Flies inspired space story. 

 

Monte's Rating

2.25 out of 5.00